A53704:908
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schism / by John Owen.An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schisme / by John Owen.
London: printed by J. Richardson for Nath. Ponder, 1681
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. That in this one Church, there were Many Presbyters or Elders, who ruled the whole Body or Community of it, by common Advice and Counsel, whether they were all of them, such as laboured in the Word and Doctrine, with the Administration of the Sacraments, or ⟨p. 353⟩attended unto Rule only, it doth not appear. But that they were many, and such as did not stand in any peculiar Relation unto any part of the people, but concurred in common, to promote the Edification of the whole Body, as Occasion and Opportunity did require; is evident in the account given of them by Cyprian himself.
2. That in this one Church, there were Many Presbyters or Elders, who ruled the whole Body or Community of it, by common Advice and Counsel, whether they were all of them, such as laboured in the Word and Doctrine, with the Administration of the Sacraments, or ⟨p. 353⟩attended unto Rule only, it doth not appear. But that they were many, and such as did not stand in any peculiar Relation unto any part of the people, but concur'd in common, to promote the Edification of the whole Body, as Occasion and Opportunity did require; is evident in the account given of them by Cyprian himself.
3. That among those Elders, in that one Church, there was one peculiarly called the Bishop, who did constantly preside amongst them, in all Church affairs, and without whom ordinarily nothing was done, as neither did he any thing, without the advice of the Elders, and consent of the People. How far this may be allowed for Orders sake is worth consideration; of Divine institution it is not. But where there are many Elders, who have equal interest in, and right unto the rule of the whole Church, and the Administration of all Ordinances, it is necessary unto Order, that one do preside in their meetings and consultations, whom custom gave some preeminence unto.